The kitchen is one of the most-used rooms in the house. It’s more than just where meals are made. It’s where memories are made—where families celebrate birthdays, teach their children heirloom recipes, or gather for a game of scrabble. When designing a new kitchen, or planning renovations and upgrades, it’s important to think of how the space is going to be used.
Take Walkways Into Consideration
A good rule of thumb is to leave 36″ of space for walkways and 42″- 48″ for work areas (or even wider for large families). This will ensure that there is plenty of room for the cook (or cooks) to maneuver. The wider these areas are, the more people the kitchen will be able to accommodate comfortably. If entertaining or having the kids involved in the kitchen is important, the wider spaces are ideal. And of course, it’s necessary to measure all appliances and cabinetry to ensure there is adequate clearance for doors and drawers to open cleanly.
Give the Kitchen Separate Work Areas
When deciding on the layout of the kitchen, the designer and homeowner should plan out specific areas to be used for different kitchen activities. For instance, there should be a spacious area for food preparation. If the family mainly eats in the kitchen, this space should be defined as well. Also, changes in countertop material or built-in amenities, such as extra seating or a custom butcher block, can help make the flow of the zones feel more organic.
Organize Storage
It doesn’t make sense to keep cooking utensils across the room from the stovetop or to keep silverware far away from where the family will be eating. Designers should keep this in mind when deciding on the organizational flow of the kitchen. Ideally, pantry storage should be near the refrigerator and freezer space, spices and cooking tools should be near the stove, and dining ware should be stored closest to the dining area.
For professional kitchen remodeling and new construction design in Greater New Orleans, contact MLM Incorporated at (504) 322-7050. Looking for more inspiration for a kitchen remodel? Read about kitchen technology, the latest kitchen trends, kitchen lighting, and more on MLM Incorporated’s blog.